ABSTRACT
Laboratory Phonology argues that the sound structures of languages are best explored by utilizing experimental and instrumental approaches, which allow researchers to advance theoretical models based on empirical findings. This chapter focuses on laboratory methodologies applied to Spanish phonology. Despite theoretical differences, the common thread among practitioners is the use of systematic data analysis, which usually goes hand in hand with an expanded view of phonology compared to traditional or generative phonology. Laboratory studies present testable hypotheses that are proven or refuted through data analysis and interpretation. These hypotheses might be related to data distribution, factors that affect a given process, or predictions made by phonological models. Laboratory studies have been crucial in the development of phonological theories that explicitly address and model the phonetics-phonology interface.
Given the wide range of laboratory studies dealing with Spanish phonology, this chapter focuses on four areas that have attracted considerable attention and where we can find studies that (i) are hypothesis based and aim to contribute to theories of phonology, (ii) challenge previous assumptions regarding Spanish sound patterns, and (iii) bring diverse methodologies focusing on different types of data, namely acoustic and articulatory data. These areas are stop weakening, nasal place assimilation and velarization, /s/ weakening, and the realization of vowel sequences. The chapter concludes with some challenges and trends.
